Don't take yourself too seriously

It occurred to me recently that perhaps the loss of compassion in America is due to many of us taking ourselves too seriously. My community, and I am sure yours is very similar, is made up of such a diverse spread of socio-economic groups. It is most easily recognized in community events such as a 4th of July firework celebration or ... church. I was sitting in my Sunday school class recently and listened to my different friends lift up praises or prayer requests. A man who had just started attending with his fiance raised his hand and shared a concern that was disturbing and yet very predictable to me. This couple is obviously very different than the average member at my church in the way that they dress, speaking in a very factual sense. He shared that while our class had given a very warm welcome to them, he felt isolated and rejected as he walked through the church corridors. Isn't it supposed to be the opposite of this in church? It is stories like this that hit me in the chest and make me realize how very real the divisions in our society can be.

As I find myself out networking in the professional world, I run across all types of people. Because of my line of work, I hit the full spectrum of these types. This exposure has really challenged me lately and I find myself questioning what it really takes to be an effective leader in my community. I see people running in their little circles and like all circles, they point inward at themselves. This is not true of all people because I know some very generous and caring people. But these are certainly the exception rather than the norm.

Why talk about this you may ask. This is by no means a new reality. It's just that I look around at all of the potential that my community holds for making a difference in people's lives, and it is often soured by inward focus and snobbery. I think we sometimes take ourselves too seriously. My problems are just as real as yours. My challenges are no more difficult than yours. They are just different. We all put our pants on one leg at a time and we all cry when we are hurt.

Humility is something we could all use more of. Whether you are a CEO, a director, a project manager, an assembly line worker, or a fry cook...are you taking yourself too seriously? Do you stop to hold the door for the person behind you, or are you above that? Do you look up to smile at the person riding the elevator with you? Do you ring the Salvation Army bell at Christmas, or would Roger from the club laugh if he saw you? I could do better at reaching out to people and letting compassion influence more of my actions. How about you?